Safe and smart traveling

It is important to have fun while traveling, but you should also remember how to travel smart and safe.

First, always keep your important documents (passports, visas, medical information, money) on your body at all times. These can be kept in a passport pouch that is tucked away underneath your clothes and safety pinned to your clothes. Though it may be uncomfortable, it is a necessary sacrifice to make. This is to prevent your important documents and money from being pickpocketed. The safety pin is a guard against pickpocketers who cut the string holding your passport pouch.

It is also important to have an open mind and an awareness for the culture that you are in. Remember that you are not in America so of course things will be different and what may seem normal to you might offend another or vice versa.

Remember that you can never be too careful when you are traveling. At the same time, do not let this hinder you from fully experiencing the culture.

Preparation for summer trip

I am extremely excited for my summer travels this summer. Lately my family has been preparing for our medical mission trip. We need to pack medicine and toothpaste into boxes because it is cheaper to buy those in America. Furthermore, the quality of these items cannot compare to the quality offered by American products.

There will be several college atudents going with the group of doctors. Because most of us do not have any medical experience, we will assisting with translation between the doctors and the patient. I also have another responsibility of taking care of daily liturgies because I can play the guitar. I plan to buy a guitar in Vietnam because I will not be able to bring my own guitar. Due to the climate change, it would be unwise to bring a guitar from America because the climate in Vietnam is much more humid and hot. This will cause the guitar to delaminate.

I cannot wait to meet my friends again who I have made friendships with from my previous trips. I also look forward to eating good and cheap food. The conversion rate is extremely favorable for USD.

A trip for my fifteen year birthday

In Panama like in most of the Latin American countries when a girl turns fifteen years is a big deal. Now people not only make parties but also they go on a trip. I choose a trip over a party and I went to Disney and a cruise in the Caribbean for 2 weeks. We were a group of 150 girls and half of the girls were in my school so it was really fun. The first week we went to Orlando, we went to all the parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Island of Adventure, Sea World, Epcot, Bush Gardens and Hollywood Studios. We stayed at the All-Star Movie Hotel and I shared a room with four of my friends. The second week was a cruise in the Caribbean. We visited Jamaica, Gran Cayman, Cozumel and Haiti. It was really fun and the food on the cruise was really good. While we were on the cruise we ice skated, went to karaokes and went to the pool. We had to formal dinners. The waiters were all really nice! there was pizza and sandwiches 24/7 and the room service was also included which meant that sometimes at 4am my friends and I were ordering nachos!! there was also ice cream by the pool, which was really good also. On the cruise there was a Johny Rockets, the food there was not included but it was very very cheap!! for only 3.95 you would get the hamburger, fries, soda and ice cream for dessert. I remember that after we came back from Jamaica we went straight to Johny Rockets because we were starving and OMG we ate so fast!! It was the first time I had Johny Rockets, in Panama there was not any of those but they recently opened one.

here is a pic of my friends and I at the cruise...

"Chiva Parrandera"

The chiva parrandera is very popular in Panama. If you are into parties you should definitely ride one of those if you ever go to Panama. It basically is a party bus but without air conditioner and it has the windows open all the time. People go standing and dancing. It is usually a 3-hour-ride.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is an earless seal that is endangered and native to Hawaii.  You often find them basking in the sun on the sand at local beaches.  Be careful not to get too close!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Big Island of Hawaii is made up of five volcanoes.  Mauna Loa and Kilauea are located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea has been continuously eruting since 1983 and is the world's most active volcano.  This National Park is a great tourist attraction.  You will be able to see a lot of Mauna Loa's creation and learn about the history.  If you're lucky, you may even be able to witness Kilauea in action!

Acai!

For the past few years, my most favorite treat would be acai bowls.  Acai is a Brazilian berry that comes either in a juice or a frozen concentrate.  It is very organic, and these products are always made with 100% acai berries.  The way I like it the most would be in “bowl form.”  This means that the acai product is blended with ice, soymilk or apple juice, bananas, and a variety of other berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries.  So, it turns out to be sort of like a smoothie, but much thicker.  Obviously, it is then put into a bowl topped with granola, bananas and other fruit, and honey.  As you can sort of tell, there are many different variations of this special treat. 

Another way to enjoy this treat would be in smoothie form.  It is basically the same ingredients as the bowl, but there is usually more fruits included and it isn’t as thick as the bowl.

            So where can you get this?  Basically almost every smoothie shop, or dessert shop, or food spot will be serving this.  Everyone has their own favorites and supports the store that makes it.  My favorite is when the acai bowl is pretty plain.  I like the acai blended with apple juice and just strawberries and bananas, topped with granola, honey, and bananas. 

            Back on Oahu, Hawaii, these are my favorite places to get acai products and their approximate prices:

            Blue Hawaii Lifestyles: $8

            Jamba Juice: $7

            Jewel or Juice: $8

            Mocha Java: $8

            Blazin’ Steaks: $7

            Red Ginger: $7

            Lanikai Juice: $7

Acai berry

Sleeping Bag Upgrades!

I just recently bought two new sleeping bags because the zipper of my previous one broke.  I will miss my old one dearly because it has been all over the world and served me well for 7 years.

REI is currently having a 20% off coupon and I used it to get myself a light travel sleeping bag.  The temperature rating is 45 degrees and only weighs 1.7lbs.  The insulation is down which is why the sleeping bag is a bit on the pricey side.  The sleeping bag is perfect for my summer travels because it's compact and light weight.

I also purchased another sleeping bag in the REI-Outlet store.  It is a REI Mojave +10 Down.  The title says it all.  It is a sleeping bag meant to keep you comfortable at 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  Its insulation is down which allows for a light weight of only 2.372lbs.  It is also very compact.  

I think it's important to have 2 different sleeping bags because there's no point in lugging around extra weight with a 0 degree bag during the summer time.  At the same time, you will not be able to keep yourself warm during the winter camping trips if you only have a 45 degree sleeping bag.  

Jurassic Park- Universal

One of my favorite rides!!! me and my friends are all on the first road, this is when we went to disney and universal for our "quincea;era" trip.

A View From Tennessee

Here are some pictures of the views from the Sky lift in Tennessee. Enjoy!!

The view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and part of Gatlinburg from atop Crockett Mountain during the day.

The view of downtown Gatlinburg at night from atop the mountain.

The gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and your photo.

The outlook platform that overlooks the city. Here you can view the mountains or downntown with these binoculars.

People to People Trip Italy!!

Hello Passengers,

The summer before my freshman year of college, I went on a trip to Europe with People to People Student Ambassadors. Here are a few pictures from my trip in Italy, since Italy was my favorite country that we visited Enjoy!

Me in front of Statue of David Ultimate tourist pose at Leaning Tower of Pisa My sister and I in front of the Colosseum!

I can't wait to return to Italy and study abroad in Florence next fall!! I am ready for gorgeous sights, amazing food and great wine.

Happy Travels,

Amy

Sky Lift in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

One of my favorite things I did while I was in Tennessee was ride the Sky Lift. It is known as the "best seat in Gatlinburg" because of the breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains and the city itself. I rode the chairlift twice, once during the day and the other at night. I think I liked it at night the best because it was a completely different experience. The downtown lights illuminated the city which produced memorable views that I will never forget.

The Sky Lift starts near the streets of downtown and goes up 1,800 feet to the top of Crockett Mountain. While going up the mountain a souvenir photo is taken of you that you can purchase at the gift shop at the top of the mountain. In the gift shop, there are many things to buy including: t-shirts, keychains, coffee mugs, jewelry, post cards, and photo albums. Enjoy ice cream, snacks, and frozen drinks while looking around the gift shop where you can stay for as long as you like. Also, at the top, they have binoculars on an overlook platform where you can look down onto the city or out into the mountains. Spectacular views of the forest and mountains can be seen from atop since it is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The hours may differ depending on the time of year, but the rates stay the same. Adults are $12 and children ages 3-11 are $9.

Backpack Upgrade

I sold my old backpack (I do dearly miss it for it has traveled with me for 6 years) in order to upgrade and buy a new one.  As the years pass, the technology and construction of backpacks improve, making the packs lighter and more durable.

Here's my pack:

Gregory Deva 60

I researched online for a pack that had all the features I wanted (many pockets, a sleeping bag compartment, front/top panel access, adjustable torso).  After I narrowed it down to 2 packs, I went to the store to try on the backpacks to see which one was the best fit for me.

I love my new bag!

Hawaii Five-O

The current Hawaii Five-O series is a remake of the 1968-1980 series.  It is a drama television series filmed in Hawaii.  If this interests you, you can watch some episode here!

My Trip to Tennessee

Hello Travelers,

A few years ago my family and I went to Tennessee and stayed in a log cabin way up in the Smoky Mountains. I had never been to the Smoky Mountains before and I had no idea what it would be like so I was a little skeptical about taking a vacation there. However, once we got there and settled in I went to the deck to look at the view and realized how beautiful it was. I had never seen anything like it before. I looked out into the mountains and it really looked as if there was a layer of smoke covering them. Here is a picture of the view from our cabin.

A lot of people visit Tennessee for the hiking, National Parks, and the outdoors but there are also many other attractions to visit and things to do. Since we stayed near Gatlinburg, Tennessee we spent a lot of time downtown shopping. If you are ever near Gatlinburg you must visit the downtown area. It is very tourist friendly and can keep you busy for a few days at least. There are a lot of little souvenir shops, candy stores, old time photo places, restaurants, and the famous Sky Lift. My favorite part of downtown was probably riding on the Sky Lift and visiting the souvenir shop at the top of the mountain. While riding up the mountain on a ski lift chair, I experienced an amazing view of the Smoky Mountains and all of Gatlinburg at night.

Another thing that we did was go white water rafting down the Upper Pigeon. I had never been white water rafting before so I was very excited but also nervous. The Big Pigeon River consists of Class 3 and Class 4 whitewater rapids. We were accompanied by a professional river guide who escorted us down the river. The thrill of being on a raft speeding down the river in the middle of the forest, around rocks, and through rapids was such an amazing experience that I will never forget. I definitely recommend everyone who gets the chance to go white water rafting. Make sure to bring a waterproof camera because this is something that you will want to remember forever!!

Salty's Seafood Grill

Hello Passengers,

Last November in Seattle, we celebrated my Grandparents 60Th anniversary at the seafood restaurant Saltys. It was delicious and had gorgeous views of the harbor. Their menu has many seafood options to choose from. And you can't beat the view!!

View of Saltly's Seafood Grill (picture from www.salty's.com/food)

Happy Travels,

Amy

Sight Seeing in Seattle

Hello Passengers,

I am going to talk about Seattle. I have cousins who live in the Seattle area and have visited them a few times. I actually went last November for Thanksgiving. It was really cold and there was snow on the ground when we arrived. There are many things to do in Seattle. You can sight see, shop and eat at a multitude of amazing restaurants. When we were in Seattle last November, I spent a lot of time shopping and sight seeing.

My sister and I shopped at the Westfield Southcenter, which is located at 633 Southcenter Seattle, WA. It was a huge mall and had tons of shops. I got a good deal of early Christmas shopping done there.

Friday was sight seeing day. We went to Experience Music Project Museum(EMP) and the Space Needle. The EMP was full of musical instruments of past performers and other musical equipment for guests to learn how to play. You can even go into a room with a green screen and make a music video. Inside the room is instruments and microphones. When the music starts, you can pretend to sing or play an instruments. After you are done, you can buy a DVD of your performance or My family made a music video to Hey Ya!

The Space Needle is 605 feet tall and has an observation deck at 520 feet and a restaurant at 500 feet. The views are gorgeous and I encourage you to check them out for yourself next time you are in the Seattle area.

My brother and I on observation Deck on Space Needle

Happy Travels,

Amy

Graduation and Leis

            With high school and college graduation happening, I thought I would give you all an insight as to what it is like to graduate in Hawaii as well as what to expect.  First off, graduation is BIG!! I’m sure just like the mainland family and friends all gather to the ceremony to celebrate the graduate.  In Hawaii, the ceremony is not always what is the most important; it’s the lei giving afterwards that you have to go to.

            A lei, in Hawaiian, means garland or wreath, but more loosely is defined as any series of objects strung together with the intent of being worn.  The most popular kind of lei is the flower lei.  Any kind of flower can be used to make a lei.  My favorites are pikake and puakenikeni.  Although they are both a little on the pricy side, their smell makes up for it.  Whenever I receive one of these leis, I save them for days mainly because whatever room I leave them in is filled with their smell.

            Going back to graduation, leis are the most popular things to give to the new graduates.  Most students get more creative when giving leis, due to the price of a fresh flower lei, and make candy or yarn leis.  Another type of lei given to graduates is the haku lei, which is a flowers woven together into a head piece.  These are very beautiful and come in all different kinds of colors with the variety of flowers found in Hawaii.

            So, after the initial commencement ceremony comes the lei giving ceremony.  Lastly, something that is very important is the party!  Most graduates have parties in honor of their recent achievement.  Here, family and friends give monetary gifts in hope that the graduate will save it and use it wisely in the future.
            Here are some pictures from my high school graduation.

Panama Canal

Panama is mostly known for its canal. Some people when I tell them where I'm from the first thing they say is "oh the Panama Canal." and it's true the canal is one of the main attractions and one of the things that most attracts tourists. The canal is much more than just an attraction is key to the maritime commerce. Right now the canal is under construction one more time because they are building a new set of locks, which would be the third one. The expansion of the canal is schedule to be finished in 2015. 100 years after the inauguration of the canal.

The canal did not completely belonged to us until December of 1999 because under Torrijos–Carter Treaties the canal belonged to the United States.

I remembered December 31, 1999 every person in Panama was watching the ceremony of transition, it was an exciting moment. The canal was finally in our hands.

If you ever go to Panama, which I hope you do, you should also visit the Panama Canal Museum. It explains the history of the Panama Canal since the beginning, it also includes the first attempt to construct a canal by the French.

Russia

In 2005, I was able to backpack through Europe with my youth group.  Russia was one of the countries we visited.  One of the most prominent part was the Orthodox churches we visited (Catholicism is not very popular/accepted in Russia).  It was very interesting to have a first hand experience on the differences between Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Visiting orthodox churches in Russia.

The churches were very grandiose structures and reflected a similar architecture.

Insides of the churches were decorated with these types of paintings.

Don't Forget...

Hello there everybody!

DON'T FORGET your camera like I did last time I went. There were so many cool pictures I wanted to take and I couldn't because I forgot my camera. Although you can buy a disposable one there at the gift shop, those are a bit expensive. That reminds me...Don't forget to take a look around the gift shop after taking a tour of the island. Even though some things may seem ridiculously expensive, there are some pretty cool trinkets and souvenirs to take back to your friends and family who did not get to participate in this adventure. The items vary from t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, post cards, bags, and even key chains. It may seem like a waste of money before you buy something, but you won't regret it after because when you go back home, you can keep your souvenir forever and take a look at it once in a while to remind you of your adventure. The gift shop is one of the most important places to visit because it combines everything you learn and see into things you can buy and take with you. Just a couple of tips for all of you.

Off you go!

Come to Alcatraz!

Hi everybody! I wanted to share one of the things that I really like to do with my friends or family. I have been there a few times because I live really close to the San Francisco. It is not a very happy place to go but it is definitely a good place to learn history and to understand what happened on that Island years ago. You see, most people know Alcatraz to be a very touristy place, but it actually has a lot of history behind it. It was once a federal penitentiary. It was also the site of the first American lighthouse on the West Coast and this island also served as a huge boarder defense fort during the Civil War. The U.S. Army turned the island into a military prison but shortly after that Alcatraz became a place where American Indians protested. This island has been used for many different purposes, but most people know it as the federal penitentiary. One of the things I love about Alcatraz is the fact that you can go around the entire site with headphones on while a recording tells you the story. You get to hear the history of this island with actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates of the island who lived there during the times of operation.

The cruise boats leave for the island at all times of the day and evening but you normally have to book more than a day in advance because they sell out fast. Speaking about tickets, a day ticket to Alcatraz costs about $26.00 for a day tour and $33.00 for a night tour. Children's tickets are much cheaper. For a day trip, it will cost a child $16.00 and for a night trip it will be $19.50. Many people go with a group of people, as it is more fun this way. (Tip: Going with a group of people will make the ticket prices go down, as they do offer group and family ticket prices.) For more details, you can check ticket prices online : Alcatraz Island: An Inescapable Experience. This a wonderful website that shows you how to plan for your trip, what to bring, pictures and video clips to prepare yourself and your group, as well as ticket specials and prices. I highly recommend taking a day trip to this site, as we can learn more about history. Give this trip one day, as you want to take your time to really explore the whole island and really listen to everything coming out of the headphones. It is important to realize what has gone on in this, well, sometimes spooky place.

Until next time!

Alcatraz

Here is a video of Alcatraz Island and prison. For those Travelers who have not yet visited Alcatraz, this video gives a brief overview of the prison and a bit of background information. It also highlights the main parts of the prison in a mini tour.

Panama Canal Administration Building

It was inaugurated in July 15, 1914, a month before the canal, is a legacy from the past. It is gorgeous and a number of tourists go every year to see it. It is also a very popular place to take photos outdoors for weddings, debutants, etc. In fact is where we (my class) took our graduation picture for the yearbook.

Kotowa

Kotowa means "mountain" and now it is also a popular brand of coffee from Panama. The coffee is from the Chiriqui province but they are opening coffee shops all around the country. The coffee is really good and they now have many frappe flavors, including some low in sugar and some fat free. Kotowa is the Starbucks in Panama.

Treasure Island Sirens of TI Pirate Show in Las Vegas

Here is a video of the show at the Treasure Island hotel

Please, sit back and enjoy! :)

Have You Heard About the Paris Hotel?

You do not want to miss the view from the Eifel Tower in Las Vegas!!!! When you are at the top you are 460 feet above the heart of the Strip. The replica Eifel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is a half-scale EXACT reproduction of Paris's famous landmark. To get to the top, you have to take an elevator and along the way an elevator guide will point out well-known Vegas landmarks. A daytime ticket costs $10.50 for an adult and $7.50 for a child/senior. An evening ticket costs 515.50 for an adult and $10.50 for a child/senior.

Just above the Strip on the 11^th floor of the Eifel Tower, Chef Joho's Eifel Tower Restaurant offers French cuisine and spectacular panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip. This restaurant has one of the city's top kitchens. The dining room is filled with intimate lighting and the Bellagio water fountain show can also be seen. The menu consists of classic French food including a Grand Seafood Platter with Lobster, Shrimp, Oysters, Crab and Clams, Beef Wellington, Roasted Rack of Lamb, and Souffles. My favorite meal to order is the Beef Wellington....yummmm! Depending on what you order, the bill for two people including drinks, meal, and dessert can average at about $200.00. It is a must see if you love Paris!

A Little Taste of Vegas

Every year in the summer my family and I go to visit Las Vegas. Depending on how much time we have we either fly or sometimes we drive. I like when we fly better because that leaves more time for fun! We have a house about twenty minutes from the strip where we stay when we visit. Even though I am not of legal age to drink and get into the clubs, I still find Vegas a very fun and interesting place to visit. One of the main attractions in Las Vegas is the big hotels. In fact, some people visit Vegas just to tour them. There are so many hotels that it would take a few days to actually go through and look at each one. The higher end hotels are located on the strip. Each one is very unique and not only are the decorations outrageous, but the design and architecture are exclusive to Vegas. My favorite hotel is the Paris Hotel because I like everything about it and I have always loved Paris ever since I was little and I hope to one day be able to visit. The inside of the hotels look so real that it makes you feel as if you are outside. However, there are many other hotels that I like such as Luxor, Treasure Island, and Caesar’s Palace. Just so you Travelers can have an idea about these hotels, here is a bit of information regarding each of them.

Paris:

Come here to experience everything you love about Paris, right in the middle of Vegas. The theme for this hotel is Paris. The price for a one night stay for two adults can range anywhere from about $320.00 to $770.00 depending on the time of year and if you plan to stay on a weeknight or weekend. The furniture inside the rooms is custom European furniture which gives off a French feel. Classic style and authentic details all come together to create Paris’ Las Vegas unique atmosphere.

Luxor:

How many times in your life will you be able to say you stayed in a pyramid? The theme for this hotel is Egypt. The price for a one night stay for two adults can range anywhere from about 50.00 to $250.00 depending on the time of year and if you are staying on a weeknight or weekend. Luxor features comfortable and spacious rooms ranging from standard rooms to extravagant suites. There are many restaurants to choose from as well: Tender is a steak and seafood restaurant, T&T is a Mexican style restaurant intermixed with a rock’n’roll flair, Pyramid Café is open 24/7 on the casino level so you can grab a quick bite on the go, Backstage Deli includes deli-style foods in a New York-themed setting, MORE The Buffet is a casual buffet, and then there is a Food Court that features a few restaurants such as Mc Donald’s and Quizno’s.

Treasure Island:

Experience the excitement of a nightly Pirate show in Siren’s Cove at the front entrance of the hotel. Get captivated by The Sirens of TI as they lure renegade pirates into their cove. This hotel is Pirate themed. The price for a one night stay for two adults can range anywhere from $129.00 to $210.00 depending on the time of year and also if it is a weeknight or weekend. Some of the upscale restaurants include: Khotan which is a Asian Bistro, Phil’s Italian Steak House that serves both steak and seafood, and Isla Mexican Kitchen.

Caesar’s Palace:

From the second you walk through the doors of Caesars Palace, you know you have arrived at one of the most extravagant resorts in the world. The theme of this hotel is Rome. The price of a one night stay for two adults can range from 369.00 to 2,829.00 depending on the time of year and also the day of the week. The guest service is seen as impeccable. One of the main attractions at this hotel is the Garden of the Gods Pool. Many describe it as one of the most breathtaking swimming pool experiences in Vegas.

Las Vegas Restaurants

Hello Passengers,

Vegas is a great place to go and is full of many amazing restaurants. Each hotel has different restaurants and I am going to mention a few of my favorites.

In the MGM, there is a great Mexican place called Diegos. I have only been there once, but the food was amazing!!

Also in the MGM is Spargos. Spargos has a little bit of every thing; pizzas, salads, sandwiches, chicken, fish. I really like their pizzas.

If you are looking for something more fancy, I would recommend Mon Ami Gabi. Mon Ami Gabi is a cute little french restaurant. It is one of my favorites. I love their brie and bread...yum.

For something more family friendly, I would recommend Serendipity 3. Serendipity 3 has a little bit of everything and is famous for its frozen hot chocolate.

The MGM also has a great coffee shop for causal dining. It has burgers, salads, sandwiches and serves breakfast all day long.

With all of this restaurant recommendations and Denny's and starbucks all over the strip, you will for sure not go hungry next time you are in Vegas.

Happy Travels,

Amy

Summer Travel

This summer I will be traveling to Viet Nam to do some missionary work.  I will be going along side with a nonprofit organization that brings back medical professionals (such as doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists).  The group will travel to rural villages to give free check-ups and offer medicine and other hygienic products. 

After the Viet Nam trip comes another trip!  I will travel to Europe, Africa and the Middle East and will be backpacking countries such as Spain, France, England, Israel, Egypt, Morocco. 

I'm very excited for the summer because I will get to travel for a majority of it.  I love the culture behind backpacking and traveling.  I love being able to experience new cultures and food and to interact with locals. 

Fun Facts about Hawaii cont.

The state of Hawaii consists of eight larger, populated islands (with the exception of the island of Kahoolawe, which is not populated) and 124 small, uninhabited islands, reefs and atolls stretching from the Nihoa, located about 280 miles (450 km) northwest of Honolulu, all the way to the Kure Atoll, located further northwest.

Fun Facts about Hawaii

Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth. It is 2,390 miles (3,850 km) from California, 3,850 miles (6,195 km) from Japan and 4,900 miles (7,885 km) from China.

The Beatles LOVE

Hello Passengers,

There are many shows to see in Vegas. There is an Elvis show, the Lion King and many Cirque Du Soleli shows. Cirque Du Soleli is described by wikipedia as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." One of my favorite Cirque Du Soleli is the Beatles LOVE Show. In this show, performers dance and do circus like tricks to Beatles Music. Even if you aren't a big Beatles fan, this show is still great! You will be amazed by the performers talent. And if you are a Beatles Fan, you can bop along to the music and even buy loads of Beatles merchandise in the gift shop.

Happy Travels,
Amy

Shave Ice

Shave ice is probably the one dessert or snack that Hawaii is known for.  To the mainlanders, it is an equivalent to a snow cone, but with much finer ice.  So, it consists of finely chopped ice covered with some kind of flavored topping and sometimes accompanied by ice cream, condensed milk (snow cap), mochi balls, fruits, or azuki beans.  It is always the perfect snack after a hard day, or a warm one, meaning it can be eaten on any day at any time.  A couple of my favorite places to get shave ice are at Waiola’s in McCully, or at Mastumoto’s in Haleiwa.

            Mastumoto’s had been popular for like ever.  It is a trademark when mentioning shave ice.  One thing that makes it unique, and all shave ice stands and stores for that matter, is that they make their own syrups.  Mastumoto’s is located in the heart of Haleiwa on the North Shore.  You can always be sure that there will be a line when you go there.  I don’t think I have ever just walked into the store and ordered.  However, they have their system down, and they are very efficient.  When ordering shave ice, you almost always tell them what size you want first.  Next you mention if you want something inside, for instance ice cream.  This is because they have to prepare these things before handing the cup off to the person filling it with ice.  Telling what flavors you want is always last because they don’t need to know until they have the ice all ready.

Recently, Waiola’s has become very popular as well.  It is located in Honolulu, so it attracts all sorts of people.  What makes this place unique is that their ice is SUPER fine.  It is almost like eating air or a cloud with syrup; don’t get me wrong, it’s very delicious!  When I go here, I always order a plain rainbow with condensed milk.  Rainbow is a combination of vanilla, banana, and strawberry.  Waiola even has a special rainbow called “Obama’s Rainbow.”  Apparently it is what he always orders when he visits his home.

These are just two of many shave ice places in Hawaii.  You can literally go to any shopping center or mall and find a place that sells shave ice.  One thing you also never have to worry about is its price.  It is usually between $2 and $5.  Honestly, ice and sugar really can’t cost that much, hence the cheap prices. 

So, if you ever visit Hawaii, travel around and eat at different shave ice stores.  You will definitely find something different at each one!

Matsumoto's

Waiola's

Las Vegas for under age people- shopping!!

Hello Passengers,

I have been to Las Vegas several times and even though I am not 21, I still have a good time. There are several things people who are under age can do. Vegas is full of great restaurants, shows, shopping and arcades. When I go to Vegas, I usually visit my friend who lives there, go shopping, see a show and eat at great restaurants.

Here are some good places in shop in Vegas:
Fashion Show Mall- A huge mall on the strip with several different shops. It has almost every shop you can think of.

M&M World- A fun story totally devoted to M&Ms. There are m&m cups, clothes, pjs, plates, kitchen equipment and much much more. You can even seen a 3d m&m movie.

Coca-cola store- Like the m&m store but with coca-cola products. You can even take a picture with the coca-cola polar bear.

Later this week, I will talk about great resturants and shows in Vegas for those who cannot yet gamble or go to the clubs.
Happy Travels and enjoy shopping,
Amy

Australia

In 2008, Australia hosted World Youth Day - an event that occurs every 3 years where Catholic youths from all over the world gather together to interact with one another.  All different people from different cultures share one thing in common - our faith.

success!!

I blogged two days ago about Spicy Bronco, an event that I was organizing. The event was yesterday and it was a success!!! I am so happy with the results. People had a good time and there were many people, more than usual. This is an event that we organize every quarter, it is basically a night when we play music in Spanish and only Spanish. It is the one night when we have the opportunity to celebrate our culture.

I am this year's PR for the Latino club and that is why I was in charged of Spicy Bronco. This is my last one and I feel relieved that I am done with my job but at the same time I know that I am going to miss it. Even though it was very stressful sometimes and I felt frustrated many many time and y even wanted to quit, it was also fun!! This job gave me th

e opportunity to meet many people on campus and it made me learn many things.

The only times when I did not like it was when I felt that I had no cooperation from the other board members and when people did not appreciate all the effort I was putting into it.

Last night I had an amazing time with my friends!! and I am definitely looking forward for next year's spicy broncos!! I will only miss the one in the fall because i'll be abroad.

I Surf Because...

Enjoy this inspirational video of Andy Irons on why he surfs.  Andy Irons was one of the best surfers, born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii.  Being so young at 32, his death was tragic and very heartfelt to all of his fans.

SPICY BRONCO

I had blogged about this already but for some weird reason my post is gone...

Tomorrow (May 14) I and the rest of the Latino club on campus (Mecha) are putting on an event, Spicy Bronco. It is going to be at 9pm in Locatelli. It is going to be a dance party, it's free and it is a lot of fun. We have one Spicy Bronco every quarter so you should come and check it out. We are going to have dance lessons from 9 to 10 pm, then Salsa Clara is going to perform and after that it is going to be an open dance floor until 12:30pm.

Ready for ROME!!!

I'm so excited!!!!! I already have my ticket to Rome. I am leaving from Panama on August 27 and I am going to be in Rome until December 16. I am going to be studying abroad on the SCU Rome Honors program. I am also a little nervous because I do not know what to expect. Even though I am already living abroad, Europe is going to be so much different but at the same time I am ready for the challenge.

Eating in Montecito

Hello Passengers,

I hope you are enjoying your stay in the Santa Barbara and Montecito area. When it comes to eating in Montecito, it is hard to choice where to go. Any restaurant you choose will be fabulous. Here are some of my favorites.

Via Vai- Located at 1483 East Valley Road in Montecito. Via Via is a fabulous Italian restaurant famous for their pizzas. Their pizzas has thin cracker like crust and a variety of toppings to choose from. I also really like their fried calamari. It is one of the best I have ever tasted. If you want good calamari and pizza, I recommend going to this restaurant.

Los Arroyos- Located at 1280 Coast Village Road in Montecito. This restaurant has great Mexican food. I love their salsas and taquitos. Their crab enchiladas are to die for. If you are looking for a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant in the area, Los Arroyos is the place to go.

Plow and Angel- Located at 900 San Ysdiro Ln. This restaurant has a little bit of everything. Chicken, tofu, cheeseburger, fish; there is something everyone can enjoy. However, Plow and Angel has the best chicken tortilla soup. The atmosphere sounding the restaurant is gorgeous. If you sit outside, you are surrounded by tree and fireplaces.

Montecito Cafe- Casual dinning cafe located at 1295 Coast Village Road. This cafe has reasonable prices and great food. Their menu is packed with options from salads and sandwiches to pastas and fish. I like their grilled chicken sandwich.

Lucky's Steakhouse- Located at 1279 Coast Village Road, Lucky's is more of a pricey eating option. However, it has great steaks, salads and side dishes. Sometimes my family goes and just orders their appetizers and side dishes. I really like their calamari, crab meat cocktail, artichokes and broccoli. Their Mac'N'Cheese is also very good. If you want to save some money, just order a few appetizers and side dishes.

Happy Travels,
Amy

Kayaking in Santa Barbara

Hello Passengers,
This is my family getting ready to Kayak in Santa Barbara three years ago. We love going on adventures and enjoyed the opportunity to kayak. We even saw dolphins!!

Happy Travels,

Amy Bernstein

Haleiwa Sign

If you're ever making the drive to the north shore, you have to stop and take a picture at the Haleiwa sign!